Spied: Fisker Karma

Fisker looks set to keep its promise to put its Karma hybrid saloon into production next year, according to these spy shots. The sleek four-door was photographed undergoing durability tests in California. Fisker claims the first 99 cars have already been sold, and says that they should reach their owners by the end of next year. The Karma uses lithium-ion batteries to power an electric motor driving the rear wheels. But the idea is for owners to plug the car in to the mains every day, which gives a 50-mile range if the car is fully charged. Fisker maintains that most people’s daily commute is less than this – a claim backed up by GM, which is aiming for a 40-mile range for the Chevrolet Volt. Like the Volt’s powerplant, the Karma’s battery can be topped up by a small petrol engine, likely to be a Volkswagen 1.4-litre four-cylinder, which acts as a generator to give it a potential range of 300 miles. Options will include solar panels for your house to provide free, green power to charge the car.Although the cars are designed and built in the US, Fisker wants 50 per cent of the projected 15,0000-unit production total to be sold overseas; it has appointed its first European importer, based in Italy. The car will cost €80,0000 (£63k) and European deliveries are scheduled to start in 2010.

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£63k for a sleek looking hybrid electric saloon. I can't see it selling personally! But the 50 mile range battery for the daily commute is useful but I'd still like to know what the costs work out per mile compared to petrol or diesel.

The nice thing is this Fisker puts the frights up the greens as it combines 'aspirational' luxury in a hybrid for capatalist Toffs. Doesn't give the greens much room to manouvre the chip on their shoulders - which is what this climate bunkum is all about.

Like any 'new' consumer technology, it depends on brave 'early adopters' to buy into the idea - until the volume is there, prices will be high. I too would be interested in seeing a 'whole of life' costing, or at least a comparison over the next three years with a similar petrol-powered car.

It's good to see an 'alternatively fuelled' car of this type, moving the image away from that of the G-Wiz and rampant wearing of sandals...

"Early adopters" can already purchase the Toyota Prius (or any Toyota hybrid) at a far lower price point than the Fisker if they so wish. No need to wait.

The battery for the Prius comes from Canada, goes to Europe, then onto China, then to Japan to be fitted into this 'green-machine' cough-splutter. Then its' shipped to Greens in Europe and America who drive them round smugly telling you what you don't know about reducing your global carbon footprint... Yeah Right! ...as if we 'late-adopters' of junk science actually give a fig!